Altitudinal Variation and Soil Characterstics Effect on Forest Communities of North Western Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand, India

The present study was conducted at Dandachali forest of Tehri Forest Division, North-Western part of Himalaya. Surveys and sampling of the vegetation were done using standard ecological assessment methods with an aim to study the soil status at community level. During the study six different forest communities’ viz., Pinus roxburghii- Quercus leucotrichophora mixed forest, Pinus roxburghii pure forest, Pinus roxburghii- Rhododendron arboreum mixed forest, Cedrus deodara- Pinus wallichiana mixed forest, Cedrus deodara- Rhododendron arboreum mixed forest and Rhododendron arboreum- Quercus leucotrichophora mixed forest were taken for the above mentioned study. Importance Value Index (IVI) were observed maximum (271.57) in Pinus roxburghii community then Pinus roxburghii- Quercus leucotrichophora mixed forest IVI (166.69). The soil pH recorded highest (pH 6.60) in Cedrus deodara - Pinus wallichiana mixed forest. Cedrus deodara - Rhododendron arboreum mixed forest community reflected maximum (27.44%) soil moisture content. However organic carbon (1.39%), nitrogen (1202.49 kg/ha.) and phosphorus (31.36 kg/ha) was highest in Pinus roxburghii – Quercus leucotrichophora mixed forest. Potassium observed maximum (351.00 kg/ha.) in Cedrus deodara - Rhododendron arboreum mixed forest. Community wise there was change in soil nutrient status whereas, altitude showed no such variations.